Gov. Bentley signs bill to make adoption process easier

Gov. Bentley signs the Best Interests of the Child Act Wed. From L-R, Adoptive mother Beverly Owings; Sen. Jerry Fielding, Rep. Mike Jones; Nancy Buckner, Comm. of the Dept. of Human Resources Resources; and Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard.

Governor Robert Bentley on Wednesday held a ceremonial bill signing for Senate Bill 307, a measure that helps expedite the process for children to be adopted into permanent homes.

"This bill cuts down on the time it takes to move children out of foster care and into permanent, loving homes," Governor Bentley said. "Dianne and I are the parents of two adopted sons, and we know the love and joy that adopted children bring to families. All children deserve a safe and stable home environment, and this legislation will make that available to more children."

The legislation requires the Department of Human Resources to file a petition to terminate the parental rights of a parent (or parents) of a child who has been in the foster care system for 12 of the most recent 22 months. Prior to the passage of SB307, filing a petition to terminate parental rights was based on 15 of the most recent 22 months.

SB307 also requires the completion of a termination of parental rights trial within 90 days after the petition has been served and requires the trial court judge to enter a final order within 30 days of the completion of the termination of parental rights trial.

"The safety and care of Alabama children is always our number-one priority," Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) said. "This law is the result of months of research and work to pinpoint the best way to improve foster care and adoption in our state. I am proud that our efforts will have an immediate, positive and long-term impact in the lives of Alabama children and families across the state."

The legislation was sponsored by Senator Jerry Fielding and Representative Mike Jones.

"As a former juvenile court judge, I've seen first-hand the stress that drawn-out foster care proceedings can have on a child," Sen. Fielding (R-Sylacauga) said. "That's why I was proud to sponsor this bill that will streamline the process and ensure a child is placed in a stable environment in a timely fashion."

"As a family law professional, I see first-hand the amount of time Alabama children can spend waiting in foster care, and I knew something must be done," Rep. Jones (R-Andalusia) said. "The ‘Best Interests of the Child Act' takes great strides toward speeding up the adoption process and ensuring children in foster care are placed in a permanent, loving home much more quickly."